SMART Repair / Vehicle Preparation Technician
Vehicle Prep | Polishing | Wheel Refurbishment | Light MET
Company: QCD Holdings Ltd T/A QCD Revive Collision Centre
Location: Brackley, Northamptonshire
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Department: Bodyshop / Collision Repair
Salary: Competitive – dependent on experience and skill level
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday
About QCD Revive
QCD Revive Collision Centre is part of QCD Holdings Ltd, providing professional accident repair and vehicle repair services from our modern facility in Brackley.
As our business continues to grow, we are looking for a practical, multi-skilled SMART Repair / Vehicle Preparation Technician to join our team.
This role would particularly suit someone from a SMART repair, mobile repair, bodyshop preparation or cosmetic vehicle repair background who is comfortable carrying out a variety of tasks rather than working within one narrow discipline.
The Role
This is a varied hands-on position supporting vehicles throughout the repair process.
Your primary responsibilities will include vehicle preparation, polishing and finishing, alloy wheel refurbishment and light MET work.
Depending on your existing skills, there will also be opportunities to develop further within SMART repair, body repair and other areas of collision repair.
You do not need to be a fully qualified Panel Technician or MET Technician. We are looking for someone with good practical ability, attention to detail and the willingness to work across several areas of the bodyshop.
Key ResponsibilitiesVehicle Preparation
- Prepare vehicles and panels ready for refinishing.
- Sand and feather damaged areas.
- Prepare repaired and replacement panels.
- Apply and finish body filler where appropriate.
- Mask vehicles and individual panels.
- Carry out primer preparation and flatting.
- Identify preparation defects before vehicles enter the paint process.
- Ensure surfaces are correctly prepared to achieve a high-quality paint finish.
Polishing & Finishing
- Machine polish freshly painted and existing vehicle panels.
- Remove minor paint defects, nibs and imperfections.
- Carry out denibbing and final paint finishing.
- Remove light scratches and surface defects where appropriate.
- Carry out final cosmetic checks before vehicle handover.
- Support the paint department with final vehicle finishing and presentation.
Alloy Wheel Refurbishment
- Prepare alloy wheels for cosmetic refurbishment.
- Sand and prepare damaged wheel surfaces.
- Carry out minor cosmetic repairs to alloy wheels.
- Mask tyres and associated components correctly.
- Prepare wheels for primer and refinishing.
- Polish and finish refurbished wheels.
- Inspect completed wheels to ensure an appropriate cosmetic standard.
Experience with diamond-cut wheels would be advantageous but is not essential.
Light MET Work
The successful candidate will also support our MET and production teams with straightforward mechanical, electrical and trim tasks, including:
- Removing and refitting bumpers.
- Removing and refitting headlights and rear lamps.
- Removing and refitting trims, mouldings and exterior components.
- Removing and refitting wheel arch liners and undertrays.
- Removing and refitting wheels.
- Basic interior trim removal and refitting.
- Supporting strip and fit operations during vehicle repairs.
- Assisting qualified MET and Panel Technicians where required.
More complex mechanical, electrical, ADAS, high-voltage or safety-critical work will remain with appropriately trained technicians.
SMART Repair Skills
Candidates with wider SMART repair experience are particularly encouraged to apply.
Additional useful skills could include:
- Minor dent and body repairs.
- Bumper repairs.
- Plastic repairs.
- Small cosmetic paint repairs.
- Scratch repairs.
- Stone-chip repairs.
- Alloy wheel cosmetic repairs.
- Paint correction and machine polishing.
- Interior cosmetic repairs.
You do not need experience in every area. We are interested in candidates who have a good core skill set and are willing to develop.
About You
The ideal candidate will have previous experience in one or more of the following:
- SMART repair.
- Bodyshop vehicle preparation.
- Paint preparation.
- Vehicle polishing/detailing.
- Alloy wheel refurbishment.
- Cosmetic vehicle repair.
- Light MET/strip-and-fit work.
- Accident repair/bodyshop environment.
We are looking for someone who:
- Has good practical and hands-on ability.
- Takes pride in the quality of their work.
- Has excellent attention to detail.
- Can work efficiently without compromising quality.
- Is comfortable carrying out different types of work throughout the day.
- Can identify defects rather than simply passing them onto the next stage.
- Looks after tools and equipment.
- Maintains a clean and organised working environment.
- Works well as part of a wider bodyshop team.
- Is willing to learn new repair techniques and develop additional skills.
A recognised automotive qualification is advantageous but not essential where the candidate can demonstrate suitable experience and ability.
A full UK driving licence is preferred.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary based on experience and skill level.
- Full-time permanent position.
- Monday-to-Friday working.
- Company pension.
- 28 days' holiday including Bank Holidays.
- Employee discounts.
- On-site parking.
- Overtime opportunities subject to workload and approval.
- Modern bodyshop facilities and equipment.
- Ongoing training and development.
- Opportunity to broaden your skills across SMART repair, preparation, wheel refurbishment and MET.
- Potential progression into specialist bodyshop roles.
- Career development opportunities within the wider QCD Holdings group.
Development Opportunity
We are particularly interested in someone who wants to develop rather than remain in one role indefinitely.
For example, an experienced SMART Repair Technician may already have strong preparation, polishing and cosmetic repair skills but want to gain greater experience in MET, panel repair or other collision repair techniques.
Where appropriate, QCD Revive will support further training and development to broaden the successful candidate's technical capabilities.
Our Standards
Quality is important at QCD Revive.
Although this is a multi-skilled position, we do not expect technicians to undertake work outside their competence or training.
The successful candidate will be expected to follow QCD Revive procedures and, where applicable, manufacturer repair requirements while maintaining high standards of:
Safety | Quality | Workmanship | Cleanliness | Documentation
Our Culture
QCD Holdings is built around trust, honesty and integrity.
We value people who are willing to help across the business, take responsibility for their workmanship and want to continue developing their skills.
This position would suit someone who enjoys variety and wants to become a genuinely multi-skilled bodyshop technician rather than being restricted to a single area of vehicle repair.
Apply
If you have experience in SMART repair, vehicle preparation, polishing, wheel refurbishment or light bodyshop work and are looking for your next opportunity, we would like to hear from you.
Please submit your CV together with details of your relevant experience and current skills.
Pay: £25,420.00-£50,433.99 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Private dental insurance
- Private medical insurance
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Brackley NN13 7BH: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Experience:
- bodyshop technician : 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
